Another anti-personnel mine believed to have drifted from North Korea has been found along the coast of Ganghwa-gun, Incheon.
According to the Marine Corps' 2nd Division, troops conducting a coastal search patrol discovered one anti-personnel mine near Joaetgol Beach on Boleumdo island in Ganghwa-gun at around 10:10 a.m. Monday.
Military authorities dispatched an explosive ordnance disposal team, which detonated the mine on-site at around 1:20 p.m. No casualties or property damage were reported.
The military believes the mine was among those washed away from North Korean territory during heavy summer rains.
It is the fourth time this month that a suspected North Korean mine has been found along the Ganghwado coast.
On Oct. 8, one anti-personnel mine was found at Daebinchang Beach on Jumuendo island in Ganghwa-gun. On Oct. 10, one anti-personnel mine and one wooden-box mine were found separately — at Eunguji Beach and near Odudondae on the same island — and were disposed of by military authorities.
Earlier, 17 wooden-box mines and anti-personnel mines were found in succession along the Ganghwa-gun coast between July and August.
A Marine Corps 2nd Division official urged residents to avoid hazardous areas, saying the unit is "conducting search and prevention activities so that local residents can use the coast safely." The official added: "If you find a suspicious object, please report it to the police or military."
betterj@heraldcorp.com
